Indian temple interaction in viral video called “inappropriate” and “scandalous”
After being accused of improper behaviour after kissing a little kid on the lips and encouraging him to “suck his tongue” at a public gathering in India, the Dalai Lama has issued an apology for his actions. The incident occurred in India.
Approximately one hundred young adults who had just completed their studies at the Indian M3M Foundation were present for the encounter, which took place at the Dalai Lama’s temple in Dharamshala at the end of February.
Since Tibet was conquered by China in 1959, the Dalai Lama, also known as Tenzin Gyatso, has been living in exile in India. He is considered to be the most revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism.
One of the young male students at the event approached a microphone at the event and asked the Dalai Lama: “Can I hug you?” The video of this exchange has now gone viral.
The kid was beckoned by the Dalai Lama, who is 87 years old, to join him on the platform where he was seated. He is then seen pointing to his cheek and saying, “first here,” following which the youngster is shown hugging and kissing him. He is heard repeating, “first here.”
After stating “I think here also,” the Dalai Lama put a kiss on the boy’s lips and continued to keep his grasp on the child. After that, the Dalai Lama remarked, “And suck my tongue,” while sticking out his tongue and putting his forehead to forehead with the learner. The young man swiftly put out his own tongue and moved away as the Dalai Lama chuckled and brought the youngster in for another hug, which caused the crowd to also laugh.
After that, the spiritual leader gave the little boy one more embrace and then talked to him, telling him that he should turn to those who produce “peace and happiness” and not to follow “human beings who always kill other people.” He then advised the youngster to go to those who create “peace and happiness.”
As the video made its way across the internet, it was met with widespread backlash from users, who criticised it by describing it as “inappropriate,” “scandalous,” and “disgusting.” The office of the Dalai Lama issued an apology in response to the scandal, saying that the spiritual leader had been “innocent and playful” in his actions.
It was said in the statement that “His Holiness wishes to apologise to the boy and his family as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt that his words may have caused.”
Even when he is in public and there are cameras there, His Holiness will often taunt the individuals he meets in a way that is benign and lighthearted. He feels bad about what happened.”
The Dalai Lama has been on the receiving end of controversy in the past. In 2019, he sparked an uproar when he said that if the Dalai Lama reappeared as a woman, “she should be more attractive.” His office later issued an apology for his comments in response to the backlash.
English